Remote-control device



Dec. 4, 1951 w M 2,577,662

REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE Filed July 21, 1948 Patented Dec. 4, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFKIE 2,577,662- REMOTE-CONTROL DEVICE v Ernst Meili, Bad Ragaz, Switzerland Application July 21, 1948, Serial No. 39,894 In Switzerland July 25, 1947 8 Claims. (Cl. 177-353) released by the control signals and which has a definite relationship. with the duration of the signals, switches being arranged in the path of said element in such a manner that they can be controlled by the movable element, at least one switching function being determined by the control signal being interrupted at an instant in which the movable element is in a position associated with the switching operation in question.

The aforesaid device differs from hitherto known devices in that on theone hand it is insensitive to disturbing impulses in'the transmission channel and on the other hand requires a minimum number of switch elements. Freedom from disturbances is achieved by the condition that a signal which does not have a certain minimum duration does notrcause the switch to operate. On the other hand when a certain switching operation is initiated, this operation is not ad-. versely affected when the control signal exceeds this minimum duration by a definite amount, so that disturbing impulses-which are not too long and occur immediately before or after a control signal do not disturb the control process.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a somewhat schematic view in top plan of a switching device according to the invention with non-essential elements omitted in the interest of clarity; Fig. 2 is a plan view similar to Fig. 1 illustrative of a modified construction; and Fig. 3 is acircuit diagram illustrating a control for the motor which is employed to drive the switch arm in rotation.

The fundamental idea on which the invention is based is explained by means of Fig. 1. By means of a control signal the switch arm A is caused to rotate in a clockwise direction by means of a special driving. device. This rotary movement continues as long as'the control signal lasts. The switch arm A is fitted with a switch catch K which is pivoted at M, and by means of the compression spring F1 depending upon the position is pressed into one of the two positions of rest determined by the stops B1 and B2. The switch arm itself due to the spiral spring F2 is subjected to a torque in the counter-clockwise direction, and in the starting position (shown in full lines) lies against the stop B3, so that at the same time the catch K lies against the Stop 131. I

If as a result of a signal the switch arm rotates, spring F2 is wound up still further. If after a relatively short time the signal ceases, for instance when the catch K is in the dotted position I, the switch arm is turned back into its original position by the spring F2. The mechanism is expediently so constructed that the return movement occurs relatively quickly when compared with the forward movement, so that when there is I a series ofdisturbing signals the arm immediately returns to the starting point during the intervening period. In this way an accumulation of individual disturbing signals is avoided. With a longer signal, the arm moves on. The catch K slides over the nose N1. If the control signal is stopped then, the spring F2 will turn the arm back into the position II and thus cause the. pivoted lever Hi to turn about the pivot axis Z1. Stops B5 and Ba limit the movement of lever H1 which prevents the switch arm from moving back any further. In this intermediate position the device is again insensitive to intermittent disturbing signals, because although the arm commences to rotate it immediately falls back again. When a new control signal occurs, the switch arm A can be rotated further until the catch K passes the nose N2. Interruption of the signal then causes lever Hz to pivot. These levers can be coupled with switches so that each position of a lever corresponds to a switch position. Each lever can be moved back either by a spring, or two levers can be mechanically coupled in such a way that the rotation of one lever causes the other one to be turned back. Actual switching can be arranged so that each lever position corresponds to a switch position, or alternatively in a manner known per se each pressure on the lever can cause the switch to move into the opposite position. In order to return the switch arm A into its initial position after the switch has been actuated the arm is revolved by a further control signal untilthe catch K reaches the stop B4 (position III, shown dotted) which constitutes a trip member for the catch K. The catch is then turned by trip member B4 intothe position of rest determined by the stop B2. As soon as the control signal ceases, the switch arm is moved back to its starting position by the spring F2 and at the same time the catch K is turned by the stop or trip member B3 into the working position defined by the stop B1. Naturally with this arrangement a large number of levers can be controlled, so that with a suitable choice of impulse durations any desirable switching operation can be realised. Each lever can be set individually by moving the switch arm outof the starting position, or the control can occur in steps if after the lever H1 has been adjusted an additional signal is given which revolves the arm until it passes the next nose that is to be actuated.

The device shown in Fig. 1 can also operate in another way if the forces which act on the catches and levers are suitably selected. Thus when revolving in a cloclrwise direction the catch K can first turn lever H1 until it abuts against stop B6, whereupon it slides over the nose N1. The lever is therefore brought into the definite position when the switch arm is rotated to the right. If, however, the other switching position is desired, then the signal is interrupted after the passing of the catch and the lever is brought into the desired position by the return move ment of the switch arm. It is nevertheless more expedient to provide two catches on the switch arm so that each position can be adjusted directly and independently. Such an arrangement is shown schematically in Fig; 2. In this case the switch arm is replaced by a rotatable disc S on which two catches K, K are mounted; These catches can revolve about the axes M and M respectively and are held by the springs F1 and F1 in one of the positions determined by thestops B1, B2 and B1, B2 respectively, whereby when abutting against the stop B1 and E1 the catch is in the working position and when abutting against the stop B2 and B2 it is in the return position. Switch pins St and St are provided at the end of the catches, these pins being perpendicular to the plane of the disc S. In the path of these switch pins switch levers H1, H2, H3 are located which can revolve about the axes Z1, Z2, Z3 the movement of each lever being restricted by stops so as to provide two positions; These levers are enclosed on one side by guide pieces G1, G2, G3 which enable the pins St and St to slide past easily in one direction. Levers, stops, and guide pieces'are arranged in a plane parallel to the revolving disc S, so that only the switch pins St and St project into the switching plane; The spring F2 aets'on the disc in a counter-clockwise direction.- The starting position of the disc is determined by the step B The operation of the switches occurs in an anal ogous manner to that described in connection with the arrangement shown in Fig.1. When the disc is rotated in a clockwise direction, the pins St, St slide over the guide pieces G, whereby as a result of the stepped arrangement, pin St follows the pin St with a certain time lag; If for instance pin St is between switch levers H1 and H2" and pin St is however'still in front of switch lever'I-I1, then an interruption of the signal with subsequent return movement of the disc causeslever H1 to revolve in a clockwise direc tion. If it is desired that lever H1 should revolve in a counter-clockwise direction, then the signal must bestopped when pin St has slid past guide piece G1 but pin St has not yet passed the second switch lever H2. In a similar way it is possible to bring the other switches into either position. After one switch has been actuated the disc remains stationary in the position until it is revolved further by subsequent control signals; The return movement of the disc to the starting position is achieved by allowing the disc to turn until the end position defined by the stop B4 is reached. The pins St and St are thus guided by the end trip members E, E into the non-operative, return pcsition. If the signal is interrupted now. the pins are in the hon-operative position when the return movement takes place so that the 4 disc can be rotated back into the starting position defined by the stop B3. Shortly before reaching the starting position pins St, St are guided back into the operative position by means of the starting trip members A, A.

The arrangements which have been described are only two of the many constructional forms of the invention which arepossible. Some of the alternative forms referred to below show that the invention can be realized in practice in many other different ways.

The return movement of the switch arm can be achieved by replacing the. spiral spring F2 by a tension spring so that the arm after executing a full revolution automatically returns to the starting position. The catch mechanism can also be constructed in various ways. For instance fixed cams can be fitted to the switch arm and catches are then provided on the levers. The adjustment of the switches can for instance be determined by the stopping of the arm or by a standstill with subsequent further rotation. in many cases it will be an advantage not to turn back the entire driving mechanism when the arm is moved back, but to provide a coupling which disengages the driving arm from the motor, so that a quick return movement is possible. This coupling device can be arranged in such a manner that a-relay actuated by the control signals operates a fric tion or gear coupling; It'may be necessary in this case to provide a damping device in order to avoid impacts. I'nsteadof a mechanical return spring it is also possible to employ an electrical return device. The arrangement is of course not restricted to electrical control, driving, and switching systems, and any other signals, for instance mechanical or optical ones can also be used; other drives "in addition to electrical drives can also be employed. Besides being used to control switches, the arrangement according to the invention can also be used in connection with throttle valves, position indicators, remote signal devices, etc.

Control devices of thiskind are mainly used where various switching operations have to be controlled in optional sequence overa single control channel. Several control channels can of course be employed in the sense that the control signal can be sent over each channel. The great advantageof the present arrangement is most apparent with transmission channels with relatively strong disturbing signals, such as for instance with wireless transmission or transmission by cables, which also serve for instance as speech conductors,'current supply lines, etc. An important application is the central control of consumers,-t'a'riif change-over switches, and the like, in an electrical distribution network. In this case froma central'point control signals of a certain frequency are superposed on the networlr voltage, the receiving apparatus being so constructed that-by means of a resonance system mainly only the control signals which'actuat'e the switches are filtered out. Mechanical, electrical and also combined systems "can be used for filtering out the control frequency. The energy of the control signals can be used directly for operating the drive or the signals can control a separate drive by means of a. relay arrangement, In this connection the following possibilities areparticularly noteworthy: the use of an electron amplifier tube, a gas-filled relay tube, an electromagnetic relay,- etc; For control systems which have to op: crate safely for years. with small powersa cold cathode glow discharge tube, relay is particularly suitable'.- The relay can bexdesigned as .a tube with two,;three or more electrodesand operated with direct or-alternating current; in the latter case it is an advantage toemploy ,atube with rectifier action;. Thecurrentirom the. relay tube can either actuate the drive directly or .be used'to operate firstan intermediate relay which ment of each such lever ;thereby to secure ,said control member against further displacementin the recall direction, and first and second trip puts the driving mechanism into operation. The

drive can be switched in either by starting up a motor, for instance a synchronous motor, or a coupling can-be actuated and the motor kept running continuously; both operations can be performed by intermediate relays. Fig. 3 shows such an arrangement with a three-electrode tube. The control frequency superposed on the network voltage L, L is filtered out by the resonance system C,Trand causes the'glow discharge tube relay 'G to ignite. The current flowing through the relay tube G'causes the relay R to be attracted and this latter switches in the driving mechanism. Thedriving motor M is supplied directly from the network.

l I claim: '1. Apparatus for effecting selective operation of a plurality of switches in accordance with the duration of a control signal comprising, a control member mounted for displacement over a predeterminedpath from a starting'position in response to the control signal,- the displacement of said member being proportional tothe duration of the signal, yieldable means opposing displacement of said member and tending to return the same-to said starting position, a series of switch control devices distributed in spaced relation along said path and adapted to be passed in succession by said control member, each such device being cooperative with'said control memberand actuated by the latter upon movement thereof in thereturn direction in response to termination of'said control signal subsequent to passing such device and prior to having passed the next said device in the series, and each such device includ-' ing means preventing further movement of said control member in the return direction, and first and second trip members positioned along said path and located respectively in advance of the first and beyond the last of said switch control de-' vices, saidsecond trip member being operative to engage'and' shift said control member from an operative to a non-operative position with respect to said devices thereby to enable said control member to execute a full return m'ovement'past all of said devices to said'st'arting position, and said first trip member being operative to engage and shift said control member back to said operative position. a

2. Apparatus for effecting selective operation of a plurality of switches in accordance with the duration of a control signal comprising, a control member mounted for angular displacement over an arcuate path from a starting position in response to the control signal, the displacement of said member being proportional to the duration of the signal, yieldable means opposing displacement of said control member and tending to return the same to said starting position, a series of switch control devices distributed in spaced relation along said path and adapted to be passed in succession by said control member, each said to termination of the signal subsequent to passing such lever but prior to having reached the next lever in the series and means limitingthe movemembers positioned along said path and located respectively in advance ofthe first and beyond the, last of said switch control devices;,said second trip member being operative to engage and shift said control member from an operative to a nonoperative position with respect to, the said lever member of each said, switch control device thereby to enable said control member .to executev a full return movement past all of said devices'to said starting position, and said first trip member being operative to engage and shift said control member'back tosaid operative position,

- 3. Selective switching apparatus as defined in claim2 wherein said control member comprises a pivotally mounted, catch movable by said trip members between a pair of stops defining the said operativeand non-operative positions of said control member,- I

-4. Selectiveswitching apparatus as defined in claim 2 whereinthe means limiting movement of said lever is constituted by a stop member located at-each side thereof; j

5. Apparatus for effecting selective operation of a'plurality of switches in accordance with the duration ofa control signal comprising, a control member movable in a forward direction over a predetermined path from a starting position response to the control signal, the displacement of said member being. proportional to the duration of the signal, yieldable means cooperative with said member andexertinga force effecting return movement thereof in the reverse direction upon termination of the signal, a series of switch control devices distributed in spaced relation alongsaid path and'passed in succession by said control member, each such switchcontrol device being unaffected, when passed by said control memberin its forward direction of movement but actuated bysaidmember upon reverse movement thereof in response to termination of the signal.

subsequent to passing the. device, each said switch control deviceincluding means holding said control member, against further movement in the reverse direction when actuated by said control member, and first and second tripmembers positinned along'said path and located respectively in advance of the first and beyond the last of said control devices, said second trip member being operative to engage and shift said control member from an operative to'a non-operative position with respect .to saiddevices thereby to enable said control member to execute a full reverse movement past all of said devices to said starting position, and said first trip member being operative to engage and shift said control member back to said operative position.

6. Apparatus for effecting selective operation of a plurality of switches in accordance with the duration of a control signal comprising, a pivotally mounted control member supported for displacement in a forward direction over an arcuate path from a starting position in response to the control signal, the displacement of said member being proportional to the duration of the signal, yieldable means opposing displacement of said member and tending to return the same to said starting position, a series of switch control devices distributed in spaced relation 'along said path, each said device being comprised of a lever pivotally mounted for limited movement, and a guide member partially surrounding the lever and engaged by said control member during forward movement thereof for temporarily shifting said 7 dinner membercutoi'tnepetn or said lever while passing the same, saidlever being engaged by said control memberupon movement thereof in the return directionupon termination of the control signal subsequently to passing the lever-and said: control member being held by the lever when so engaged,- and first and second trip member's positinned along saidpath and located respectively in advance of the first and beyond the last of said switch control devices, said second trip member being operative toengage and shift said control member on its pivot from the path or said levers to a position suinc'ient to clear the guide member or each switch control device thereby to" enable said control member to execute a full return movement past all of said devices to said starting position and-saidfirst trip membef'beitig open 1 signal, the displacement of said plate being proportional to the durationof the signal,- yieldable means opposing displacement of said plate and tending to returnthe same to its starting position;

a pair of control levers pivotally mounted on said 7 plate; said levers each including a pinand which pinsare arranged for" displacement along arcuate paths of different radius in stepped relation, a series of switchcontrdl devices distributed in spaced relation along the paths or said pins; each said device being cofnpris'edof a switch l'evi mounted pivotally intermediate its ends with one end of each' lever projectinginto the path of one of-said pins and tl-ie' otneriever end projecting into the path ofthe" other ofsaid pins'stop means limiting pivotal movement of each of said'sv'vitch levers and a g uide' nieinber partially surrounding each said switch lever and engaged by said con} trol lever pins duringforward movement thereof for tempor'arilysh ifting' said control lever pins beyond the ends of said lever While passing the same, each said switch lever being engaged by one or the other of said pins upon return m vement of saidplate upon terminationof the'controlsignal subsequent to passage of one or the other ofsaid pins past the same, and first and second trip members positioned along said path and 16- cated respectively" in advance of the first and beyond. the last of said switch control devices, said second trip member being operative to shift said control lever pinsfroni their "working position'to a return position thereby enabling said plate to execute a full return movement past all of said devices to said starti-ngposition, and said first trip member beingoper'ative to shift said control lever pins back to said wrloi'fig position.

8; Apparatus for efiecting selective operation of a plurality of switches in accordance with the duration of a control signal comprising a glow relay tube responsiveto said control signal; said tube being conductive for the duration of said signal; a control member mounted for displacement over a predetermined path from a starting position, the displacement or said member being governed'by said glow tube and proportional to control member and actuated by the latterupon movement thereof in the return direction in response to termination of said control signalsubsequen-t topassing such device and prior to having passed the next said device in the series; and

each said device holding said control member against further movement in the return direction once actuated thereby, and first and second trip members positioned along said path and located respectively inadvance of the first and beyond the last of said switch control devices, said second trip member being'operative to engage and shift said control member from an operative to a non-operative position with respect to said devices thereby' to enable said control member to execut full return movement past all of said evices to said starting position, and said first trip ffifhber being operative to engage and Shift said confirm member back to Said operative position. I I 7 p I V ERNST MEILI. E'EFERENCES CITED 'Ihe following references are of record in the file of this patent:-

UNITED STATES" PATENTS Number r Name Date 2,222,218 Wallace Nov. 19, 1940 ,233,026- Mock l Feb. 25, 194 2,389,571 Willis NOV; 20, 1945 

